GEST is a comprehensive extra-solar planet search mission
sensitive to planets with masses as low as that of Mars.
GEST will monitor the Galactic bulge for 8 months per year
for three years to detect planets via gravitational
microlensing and transits. GEST's microlensing survey will
detect low-mass planets via high signal-to-noise variations
of gravitational microlensing light curves. These planetary
signals do not require follow-up observations to confirm the
planetary interpretation, and they yield direct measurements
of the star:planet mass ratio. GEST will be able to detect
~100 Earth-mass planets at 1 AU (assuming ~1
such planet per star) and will detect its first Earth-mass
planets within a few months of launch. GEST's survey of the
Galactic bulge will also detect ~50,000 planets via
transits.

When the Galactic bulge is not visible, GEST will do a
Kuiper Belt Object (KBO) survey and operate a Participating
Scienctist Program (PSP) with observational programs
selected via competitive proposals. It is expected that
100,000 new KBOs will be discovered.

The GEST mission can be accomplished at low risk with
established technology, and a GEST proposal has been
submitted to the current Discovery Competition.

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